Neftekhimik players visited Nizhnekamskneftekhim
24.08.2026
Before the start of the new season, Neftekhimik visited (PJSC) PAO Nizhnekamskneftekhim, keeping up their long‑standing tradition. We met with the company’s employees and management, and the gathering quickly turned into a true dialogue between two like‑minded teams. In a place where industrial life is in full swing, the staff warmly welcomed those who set the stands alight.
The event featured speeches from Nizhnekamskneftekhim General Director M.I. Falyakhov, Neftekhimik General Director I.V. Larionov, Neftekhimik Head Coach I.V. Grishin, and team captain A. Belozyorov.Marat Inilovich Falyakhov stressed that PAO Nizhnekamskneftekhim is not just a sponsor of the club, but first and foremost a team of like‑minded people. He noted that the common goal of the company and the hockey team is to achieve high results, regardless of any difficulties.
Igor Viktorovich Larionov sincerely thanked SIBUR and, in particular, PAO Nizhnekamskneftekhim for their great support:
– We are part of this great company. Today we saw firsthand the high standards SIBUR operates by. Our aim is to live up to those standards and to delight our fans with our game.
Head coach Igor Vladimirovich Grishin assured everyone that the team has no intention of resting on last season’s achievements:
– I think all the guys will agree with me: they are giving their absolute best right now, so that we can enter the season with confidence and bring glory to Nizhnekamsk throughout the championship.
Neftekhimik Captain Andrei Belozyorov particularly emphasised the special bond between the club and the company:
– These are our most loyal fans.
The atmosphere at the meeting was truly lively – the conversation naturally evolved into an impromptu press conference. Questions came thick and fast, ranging from serious to playful, and each one was answered with both attentiveness and humour. The highlight of this informal exchange came when the person who asked the best question received a game jersey straight from Andrei Belozyorov – and a burst of applause erupted in the hall.
After that, the players changed into SIBUR’s signature work uniforms and went on a tour of the facility. For many of them, it was a rare chance to see the inner workings of a large‑scale industrial plant. They were especially impressed by the training ground, where employees practise emergency response drills, honing every movement until it becomes second nature.
Neftekhimik forward Alexander Petunin, who had previously visited similar sites in Cherepovets and Magnitogorsk, shared his impressions openly:
– Nizhnekamsk has a truly modern production facility – everything is clean and well‑organised. Usually, you do not think about what the objects around you are made of, but here they explain every detail. The workers are very friendly and genuinely passionate about hockey. I want to repay them with my play.
Neftekhimik forward Matvei Zaseda, this was his first factory visit, and he was genuinely amazed by the scale:
– The size of it all is staggering! The employees were kind and welcoming, showing us everything and explaining it thoroughly. I was particularly struck by the training ground – there, people polish their skills to perfection, so they can react effectively to any situation. It is very similar to what we do: we spend most of our time training, not playing – every day, several times a day – so that we can respond instantly to any emergency on the ice.
This meeting once again demonstrated that the team and the plant are not just partners – they share a genuine bond, built on common values, a drive for excellence, and mutual support.
